In the World News
Beaches Turks and Caicos reopened on Dec. 21 having been closed since March. This amazing all-inclusive resort features five magnificent villages boasting the architecture and ambiance of Italy, France, the Caribbean and Key West, a 45,000 square-foot waterpark, 21 gourmet restaurants, a 12-mile beach lapped by clear turquoise waters, and 10 impressive pools.
The National Park Service has a special offer for you. If you're thinking about visiting some of the beauty of the U.S. while enjoying some of our historic landmarks, NPS would like to help you. The National Park Service is offering six days in 2021 when guests can enjoy free admission to national parks, monuments, and sites that typically charge entrance fees.
2021 National Park Free Days
January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 17: First Day of National Park Week
August 4: One-year Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 25: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day
Circa Resort & Casino, downtown Las Vegas' newest casino-resort, has officially opened its 777-room hotel tower and rooftop lounge, Legacy Club. The resort features six pools on three different levels to offer a prefect view of their 40-foot tall high definition screen. There are plenty of dining options in the eleven restaurants and bars.
Cruise News
MSC Cruises will be launching two new ships year. MSC Virtuosa will make its first voyage in April and will offer Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. It is a part of MSC's Meraviglia Plus class, it features Cirque du Soleil performances, an indoor promenade with a digital sky ceiling, an indoor amusement park, an outdoor water park and the first contemporary fine art museum at sea. The MSC Seashore will debut in June. This ship will feature an entirely redesigned deck layout offering more dining spaces, bar and entertainment venues, and new public spaces.
Viking Ocean will debut its latest ship, the 930-passenger Venus, May 3, 2021. It will feature all veranda staterooms, and itineraries include Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the British Isles.
Viking Expedition's first expedition ship, the 378-passenger Viking Octantis, was floated out on Dec. 22, will debut in early 2022. It will spend its maiden season in Antartica and the Great Lakes. Its sister ship, the Viking Polaris, is slated to debut in summer 2022 and will sail to Antarctica and the Arctic. Viking introduced Viking Expeditions, last January. The fleet of expedition ships will be built specifically to explore the world's most remote destinations and allow you to immerse yourself in these regions.
American Queen Steamboat Company has announced they are planning for a March 15 start for the American Duchess. Then they will have a christening on March 21 for the American Countess. The American Empress will begin sailing on April 5th.
Norwegian Cruise Line has made the decision to further suspend voyages for Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy with embarkation dates through and including March 31, 2021. March sailings on all other vessels were previously suspended.
Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy itineraries for late April and May 2022 are now available to book. There are several 3 and 4 night Bahamas cruises on the Disney Dream as well as 7 night eastern and western Caribbean cruises on the Disney Fantasy.
Guests booked on the June 28, 2021 9-night Alaska Disney Wonder sailing may be eligible for a discount when booking a select 7-night replacement cruise option. Guests booked on the July 22, 2021 9-night Southern Caribbean Disney Fantasy sailing also may be eligible for a discount when booking a 3 night Bahamian cruise July 22-July 25, 2021 and/or a 6 night western Caribbean cruise July 25-July 31, 2021.
Carnival Cruise Lines has suspended all embarkations from U.S. ports up to and including March 31, 2021. Other sailing suspensions include Carnival Freedom from Galveston up to and including April 10, 2021, Carnival Miracle from San Diego & San Francisco up to and including September 16, 2021, Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral from September 17-October 18, 2021, and Carnival Sunshine from Charleston from October 11-November 13, 2021.
Holland America Line has once again extended its pause of cruise operations for all departures through April 30, 2021.
Princess Cruises has also extended its pause of operations for all ships sailing through May 14, 2021.
Theme Park News
Walt Disney World
EPCOT Festival of the Arts begins January 8 and runs through February 22, 2021. It will feature special kitchens set up around World Showcase. As well as entertainment throughout the day including the Voices of Liberty, Art Defying Gravity, JAMMitors, Epcot Pianist, Chalk Art, and Visual Art in Performance. Guests can take in all of the beautiful and imaginative Disney artist exhibits.
Beginning with arrivals on Jan. 1, 2021, there will be a change in how guests receive Walt Disney Travel Company Magical Extras and Souvenir Luggage Tags. These items will no longer be shipped and may be picked up at the front desk anytime during the stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. This update is for Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservations only.
The Bay Cove Pool water play area at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort is scheduled for refurbishment and will be temporarily unavailable from January 6, 2021 through early February 2021.
The Paddock Pool waterslide at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close for refurbishment beginning this winter.
Discovery Cove Orlando
Discovery Cove has a new, fun experience for the family. Flamingo Mingle is an exclusive experience in the early mornings to allow guests to meet, mingle with, and help feed their Caribbean flamingos. Participants will be limited to groups of 8, and the experience is an additional cost. Participants must be at least 6 years old. Children ages 6 to 12 must be accompanied by a participating, paying adult. Reservations must be purchased in advance. The Flamingo Mingle experience can be added onto both the Signature Dolphin Swim and Day Resort packages. However, it cannot be added onto a reservation for guests participating in Ray Feeding or the Trainer for a Day program due to schedule conflicts.
SeaWorld Orlando
Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend will be January 23-24. Families can enjoy fun activities, photo ops with their favorite furry friends, and much more through the celebration.
Elmo’s Birthday Celebration will be January 30- February 3. Families can celebrate Elmo’s Birthday with meet and greets, a family-friendly DJ, photo ops with characters, and more.
Park reservations are required.